A DETAILED blueprint for Shenzhen's new city center was unveiled at a press conference for the urban planning bureau, Shengzhen Daily quoted Monday's Daily Sunshine's report.

The city center, covering an area of some 607 hectares in Futian District, is divided into three functional areas. Lying to the south is the city's central business district (CBD) with a total area of 233 hectares.

Next to it is the new political and cultural center covering some 180 hectares. The 194-hectare Lotus Hill Park will also be included in the new city center.

Building complexes with a total floor area of 7.5 million square meters have been planned for the new city center, which is expected to accommodate some 77,000 people in residential buildings and 260,000 people in office buildings.

The urban planning bureau was working on a plan for the Central Square where a considerable part of the land would be reserved for lawns and trees, a bureau spokesman said.

"Paths in the square will be suitable for walking, jogging, cycling and even skateboarding. It will be a leisure area like Central Park in New York."

The square would extend into the CBD as an "eco-corridor," he said.

One of the symbolic complexes in the city center, the Citizens' Center, officially opened Monday. The Children's Palace is due to open Tuesday.

Source: Shenzhen Daily